Everything you need to know ahead of the top-flight encounter
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Xabi Alonso returns to the Premier League as Chelsea manager
Xabi Alonso returns to the Premier League as Chelsea manager (Reuters)
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Xabi Alonso will look to begin his Chelsea tenure by claiming local bragging rights as the Blues make the hop to Craven Cottage to face Fulham.
The former Liverpool and Spain midfielder shares the touchline with a fellow Premier League debutant, with Alvaro Arbeloa similarly making his managerial bow in the English top flight with the hosts.
The Blues have spent big once again this summer, headlined by the £117m signing of England international Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, in a bid to change their fortunes after a dismal 10th-place finish last season.
Fulham, meanwhile, will hope not to regress in a post-Marco Silva era, with Arbeloa hoping to move the team forward with his Real Madrid recruits.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Fulham vs Chelsea?
Fulham’s clash with Chelsea kicks off at 8pm BST on Monday 24 August at Craven Cottage.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 6:30pm BST. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Team news
Fulham’s only injury concern regards Tom Cairney who is out with a knee problem, while Joachim Andersen will serve the final match of his three-game ban for a sending-off against Bournemouth in May. Ex-Real Madrid duo Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios could be in line for Premier League debuts.
Danny Welbeck faces a late fitness test for Chelsea, while Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha are definitely out with injury. Wesley Fofana, like Anderson, serves a suspension for a sending off last term.
Predicted line-ups
Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Cuenca, Robinson; Iwobi, Berge; Bobb, King, Palacios; Garcia.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Lacroix, Colwill; Palestra, Caicedo, Lavia, Neto; Palmer, Rogers; Joao Pedro.